‘Dagger’ brigade changes command, responsibility

Photo By Staff Sgt. Daniel Stoutamire | Col. Miles Brown, commander of 2nd ABCT, 1st Inf. Div., accepts the brigade colors presented by Maj. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, commanding general of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley, June 5 at the 'Dagger' Brigade change of command and responsibility ceremony. Brown takes command from Col. Jeffery Broadwater, who led the brigade as the first BCT to be regionally aligned with U.S. Africa Command.
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Under Broadwater’s command, the “Dagger” brigade made history as the Army’s first brigade combat team to serve as a Regionally Aligned Force. Maj. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, commanding general, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, gave praise and admiration to Broadwater’s hard work and commitment during his tenure as the 2nd ABCT commander.

“The many Soldiers before us have played a big part in writing the history of the ‘Big Red One,’ Funk said. “Jeff, today, you and your Soldiers have added to that history. You are one of the key authors in the most recent Big Red One chapter – starting from taking your brigade to the National Training Center (Fort Irwin, California) for a decisive-action rotation to successfully completing over 160 missions in more than 30 countries in Africa.”

Broadwater said the brave, responsible and on-point Soldiers in the formation made his job possible.

“Through your hard work and dedication, each and every one of you made a difference in shaping our nation’s future,” Broadwater said. “You made the regional alignment-concept work, while simultaneously maintaining your global availability for our nation’s future readiness. You truly are brave, responsible and on point for our nation.”

Brown and Jackson take command and responsibility 10 days before the brigade is set to hand over the RAF mission to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div.

“Once the remainder of our units’ returns from their overseas locations, Sgt. Maj. (Maurice) Jackson and I will bring everybody back together as a brigade,” Brown said. “Our focus will start to move forward on resetting our equipment, continuing to train and beginning to work on our war-fighting excellence.”

Broadwater is set take command of NTC’s Operations Group at Fort Irwin.